Hoofddorp, huh? Holland

We've just returned from dinner in a town called Hoofddorp. Isn't it just fun to say?

We've gotten very brave venturing out on the trains and buses to see the outskirts of Amsterdam. It's our last day of vacation and we certainly weren't going to just hang around the hotel.  It has been a rainy and rather gloomy day, but we just pulled out our umbrellas and pulled on the hoods to our jackets, and kept going.

We went to the town of Edam first, which was founded in 1357!  It is known for producing cheese, and that was obvious by the many cheese shops.  We had lunch there after wandering the narrow streets, looking in the shops and taking quick peeks ( by accident as we passed by) into private homes that looked cozy and cute.

Then we traveled to another more touristy town called Volendam, also founded in 1357- that's 660 years ago! Imagine!  This seaport town, known for its fishing industry, had an area along the water that looked like a Dutch version of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, although much more quaint.

It was a fun last day to our amazing vacation.

Take the 300 Bus to Haarlem (Netherlands)

Sorry for borrowing a line from the Ella Fitzgerald song, "Take the A Train to Harlem," (New York.)

We arrived  'out of Africa' this morning, taking a red eye from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Amsterdam.  We loved seeing Africa, but it is great being back in a 'first world' country.  It's the little things, like being able to use tap water to brush your teeth, and actually drink the water too!

After a couple hour nap - since we hardly slept on the plane- we went by bus to a town called Haarlem- about 30 minutes from Amsterdam.  It's where the colonists came from, who settled in Harlem, New York. We were impressed with the ease of taking trains and buses here.  There are designated bus lanes, so traffic is very orderly. Cars have their roads,  buses have their roads,  trains run on their tracks and  bikes and scooters have their pathways; and for that matter, so do the people.

Haarlem has a rich history dating back to medieval times, and the curving streets with buildings dating back to that period, were fun to explore.  We toured St. Bavo Church which was begun in 1370.  The entire floor consisted of 1,500 gravestones, ranging from the 1400s to the 1700s. The gigantic organ was actually played by Mozart and Handel!

Like Amsterdam, the city is build around a series of canal.  It's a beautiful place!

Zanzibar-Stone Town Part II

On our second day in Zanzibar we took a tour of Stone Town-what an exotic and different world! Thankfully we had a guide, otherwise we still may be trying to find our way out of the labyrinth of narrow streets.  It began in the 1500s as a trading post  by Portugal,  and over the centuries has been lived in and controlled by India, Arabia, and England.  So all these countries put their stamp on the architectural styles in the town.  Nowadays, the town is still lived in by the local people, but has fallen into disrepair.  In many  alleyways are crisscrossing wires for electricity, and clothing hung out to dry.

We went to the market and seeing how they handled fish, chicken and beef would make me NOT want to eat any of it. It was a cacophony of noises- loud and crazy! They didn't bother trying to sell us any of their meats because we were clearly with a tour guide.

The other parts of the market sold all sorts of things, including spices, souvenirs, and clothing.  It was a very eye opening experience, and here they were not shy about, 'offering us the best price.'

The fish market. I'm sure you can imagine the smell!

A disgraceful part of Stone Town's history is that it was the largest slave trading market in the world.  We toured the museum and saw the conditions in which people lived.  Outside is a very moving display that kind of says it all. Here it is:

Off to Zanzibar -- Part I

Over the years, hearing about a place called Zanzibar conjured up a tropical far away and strange island.  I remember as a kid talking about trying to dig to China- which for me and my dorky friends meant digging a hole all the way through the earth and ending up on the other side. Well it turns out, without doing any digging, we have gotten to within 600 miles of being on the other side of the world! The actual spot is in the Indian Ocean, and not China!

Zanzibar, an island off of the coast of Tanzania- and part of that country- is actually made up of 54 islands, about 45 of them are only inhabited by wildlife. And as we have seen throughout Rwanda and Tanzania, Zanzibar is a study in contrasts  Many people live in poverty- dirt floor huts, small villages with no running water and a family goat or two- which isn't their pet!  Driving from the airport to the hotel, we kept looking at each other, a bit nervous about whether there was actually a nice hotel at the end of the road.

Tanzania is 93% Muslim, so the most of the men and women dress in traditional clothing.  It is so hot and humid that I can't imagine living under all those layers of fabric.

Then, we finally arrived, and wow, what a place Rob found! Winnie gave us these four days as an anniversary present and it has been fantastic! The Melia Zanzibar is the fanciest place I've ever been! The service is over the top! And the pools, ocean, grounds and the food are out of this world.  We chose the "all inclusive " package so all the meals and  drinks are included.

Each night is a themed buffet, from Indian, to a barbecue on the beach, to Mediterranean to Arabian style food.

The Indian food buffet! Amazing!

This was the barbecue night on the beach.  It was so fancy! It seemed like we were crashing a Hollywood wedding reception.  They sat us at communal tables, and we got to know a couple from Israel, and a couple from Germany.  Thankfully they all spoke perfect English!

This is the Gabi Beach restaurant- also part of the hotel.  We watched fishermen bring in their catch as we had beers and pizza and tropical salads! Pinch me, am I dreaming!? 

Tanzania- Lake Manyara Day IV

Lake Manyara is an oasis of greenery in a dry, arid climate.  The lake is home to tens of thousands of birds, and believe me, I think we saw every one of them.  At times the sky was filled with white wings moving in a kind of flow that they all seemed to understand.  Thankfully our truck had a cover because the reality was the ground was spotted with droppings and feathers that at times looked like snow.  Apparently the water table is close to the surface creating this jungle affect.  Besides the birds, this is where many species of monkeys and baboons live.  (I'm tempted to make a wisecrack about traveling with a couple of baboons, but I won't.)

The Maasai People of Tanzania

As we drove through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, we saw small villages dotting the hillside.  Just like something you'd see in a movie, there were small huts, some with thatched roofs, some shaped in small rounded mud domes.  These huts formed a circle and their village.  Our guide told us these were Maasai villages, and these people continue to lead very traditional and primative lives.  This tribe fascinated me because, being the New Yorker that I am, I was cynical.  Could this really be real? Come on!

The answer is YES. However they have figured out a way to make extra money by allowing tourists to visit and learn about their lifestyle. They also raise goats and cows.  So, once again, a picture is worth a thousand words-

Their welcome dance.

 Men and women dance separately from each other.

This is inside a hut- made from sticks, hay and cow dung! This man has two wives and four children.
I found it all very interesting, and weird too!

Tanzania The Serengeti DayIII Part 2

One of the most extraordinary experiences - among many extraordinary experiences - was when we got settled into our camp on the Serengeti. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon and for the past 10 hours we had seen elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, ostriches, gazelles, impalas, hippos, cheetahs,  hyenas, and an assortment of birds, and lizards.  I had taken hundreds of photos, and we had been jostled around, peering out at all the wildlife.

We had all had showers and felt renewed.  The front of our tent had a patio with comfortable chairs and a table.  We were told to use the walked-talkie when we were ready for drinks.  Our tent was number 5 and we were a good distance from the camp dining room and lounge.

We called for three gin and tonics and sat watching the show in front of us. Passing within viewing distance were elephants, a lion, and giraffes.  Our drinks arrive on a nice tray from a waiter with a white coat.  As we made a toast, we realized that this was one extraordinary moment! How often can you say you're having cocktails on the Serengeti?

That night, after dinner, each group had to be escorted back to their tent by a guard.  And, it was a good thing. Right in front of us in the path was a hyena!   Then the second most extraordinary event of the evening presented itself.  We stood out in front of our tent and gazed at the night sky.  The Milky Way was right overhead and the southern cross was easily seen.  I don't think any of us had ever see stars so bright and a night so dark.